Speed-regulator for traction-elevators.



E. S, MATTHEWS;

SPEED REGULATOR FOR TRACTION ELEVATORS.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

ENVENTOH 6M 3% ATTORNEY APPLICATION ITILBD OCT. 29, 1907.

E. S. MATTHEWS. SPEED REGULATOR FOR TRACTION ELEVATORS.

APPLIOATION TILED OCT. 29, 1907.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTUH 62 W? $774M WITNESSES ATTORNEY COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,,WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT oF ioE.

EDWIN S. MATTHEWS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SPEED-REGULATOR FOR TRACTION-ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed October 29, 1907. Serial No. 399,734.

. Improvement in Speed-Regulators for T raction-Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to speed regulating apparatus, and, although it is particularly adapted to frictionally driven or traction elevators, it may have a general application.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of simple, efficient and improved retarding mechanism for frictional driving apparatus.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel combinations of elements being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 represents an elevational view partly in section of a traction elevator with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, omitting a portion of the main motor; and Fig. 3 represents a wiring diagram of a system of control which may be used.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, M designates themain motor which in this instance is mounted on the bed-plate 1, the latter being in turn carried by the fixed overhead beams 2. Mounted also on the bed-plate 1 is the brake mechanism 3 comprising brake shoes held in frictional contact with the pulley 4, as indicated in Fig. 3. Thispulley is connected to the extension 5 of the armature shaft so as to rotate therewith. The latter is supported in bearings 6, 6 carried by the standards 7, 7 respectively, which are supported by the overhead beams 2. Also connected to the shaft 5 so as to rotate therewith is the driving sheave 8. Below this sheave is the idler sheave 9 journaled in fixed bearings.

C designates the elevator car and \V the counterweight. The hoisting cable or cables 9' extend from the top of the car upwardly over the sheave 8, downwardly around the idler sheave 9 one or more times, and thence again upwardly around the sheave 8 and finally to the counterweight W. It will be evident, therefore, that when the brake mechanism 3 is released and the main motor receives current, the shaft 5 will be rotated so as to transmit motion to the sheave 8 and lift or lower the car G as desired. These parts may be of the usual construction. Also connected to the shaft 5 so as to rotate therewith is a gear wheel 10, preferably entirely inclosed by a casing 11, the lower part of which is enlarged at 12 and extended laterally as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to provide sufficient space for the retarding mechanism hereinafter described. I prefer to construct this lower portion in such. manner that it will hold a lubricant, such as oil, without permitting leakage of the same.

Meshing with the worm wheel 10 is the worm 13 which may be of the spiral type so that when power is applied to the worm wheel 10 to rotate the same the worm 13 will be driven. Preferably the pitch of the worm 13 is such that although it may be driven by the worm wheel 10 considerable friction must be overcome in doing so. There may also be some back lash or lost motion between the worm and worm wheel. The worm 13 is carried by a sleeve 14, to the ends of which are connected the frustums of cones 15, 15 of friction clutches 16, 16. The

clutch cups 17, 17 of these friction clutches are urged into frictional engagement with the cones mentioned by the springs-18, 18. Extending through the sleeve 14 and the end cones 15, 15 is an auxiliary shaft 19 which is journaled in the bearings 20, 21 in the end plates of the heads 22, 22. It should be noted that the cups 17, 17 are mounted on this auxiliary shaft 19 so as to have longitudinal movement with respect thereto, but are compelled to rotate therewith by the connecting keys or feathers 23, 23.

To the outer end of the auxiliary shaft 19 is connected an electric motor 24 which is small as compared with the main driving motor M, and is so designed as to run at result.

a higher rate of speed than necessary to be in synchronism with the main motor M. From this it will be'seen that when the parts are connected as shown in Fig. 1 and both electric motors operating, the wormhowever, may not be material. In order to secure this operation there must be con-. tinuous slipping between the on s and the 11 order to secure a wider range of variation of friccones of the friction clutches.

tion and to prevent heating, I prefer to fill the lower portion 12 of the worm gear casing with a lubricant so that the clutches and the worm will be immersed, or partly so.

Also mounted on the auxiliary shaft 19' are a plurality of step bearing rings 25, 26 ad-,

jacent thebearing 20, and 27, 28 adjacent the bearing 21. The space 29 may be provided in the bearing20 to allow for a slight longitudinal movement of the shaft 19, the latter being limited in its movement in the opposite direction by the bearing 30 of the auxiliary motor 24:. Now, when the main; motor M is started, the small motor is also started in a corresponding direction, so that the two motors together tend to drive the sheave 8 to lift or lower the car C. The small motor, however, is not intended to render any material assistance, its main purpose being to'cont-inuously operate the worm 13 so as to move it out of frictional driving connection with the worm 10. As before stated, a certain amount of slippage is permitted in the friction clutches to effect this If for any reason control of the main motor is lost, or if the car moves too rapidly, that is,'beyond a safe speed, the worm wheel 10 will be driven'so fast that it will be, brought into driving engagement with'the worm 13 and tend to rotate the same. In doing so, however, it meets with considerable resistance, for, although the pitch of the worm is such as to permit the worm wheel to drive the same, I prefer to havethe pitch or inclination of the threads on the worm near the locking point. It is evident that should locking take place there would be great danger of the momentum of the moving parts causing the teeth to be ripped off the worm. This contingency is provided against by having drlvlng connection in both directions. During normal operation of the elevator car the Worm wheel may, rotate freely and comparatively small power is added thereto by the smaller motor through the worm 13. During abnormal operation, however, as when the car is overloaded and tends to move downwardly too fast, the worm wheel 10 meets with resistance at the worm 13 so that a braking action is exerted on the driving sheave to gradually retard the motion of the car without abruptly stopping the same, although this may also be ultimately attained, par ticularly when the car 'is overloaded. It should also be noted that in the event of loss of torque of the main motor, running away of the, car is prevented by the retarding mechanism. .For instance, if the current applied to the main motor is not sufficient to cause the latter to hold the load or to move the same, such current may be sufficient to release thebrake '3, whereupon the car will'be moved upwardly by the counterweight if there is a light load, or down' wardly'b'y the load if there is a heavy'load. In such case the speed of movementcaused by gravity is limited .by the retarding mechanism. WVhen the car speed becomes excessive and the braking action on the worm wheel 10 takes place inthe manner stated to retard the car, one ofthe clutch cups is thrust against the corresponding step bearing with greater force than normally. This still further retards rotation of the worm wheel 10 and also retards the rotation of the shaft 19. Meanwhile, the auxiliary motor 24 continues to drive the shaft 19, but the relative slip between the cup and its cone tends to increase. But as soon as the cup is more forcibly thrust againstastep bearing the frictional engagement between the cone and the cut increases. In some instances where strong braking action is required the increased frictional engagement between the cone and cup may cause the shaft 19"to bedriven from the worm 13. The

apparatus should be so arranged, however,

,by automatically re-inserting resistance in circuit with the latters armature. It will therefore be seen that when the worm 13 is moved longitudinally by the worm wheel 10 and is rotated at the same time, the spring engaging the cup is gradually compressed and the frictional engagement in the clutch gradually increased until the cup engages a step bearin when the friction in the clutch is still furt ier increased. The'greater the load to beretarded, or the greater the momentum, the greater will be the frictional resistance to the rotation of the wormavheel 10. It is "therefore evident that the arrangement is such that the retardation will be in proportion to variations of load, and that this retardation is automatic in regulating the speed of movement of the elevator car.

Referring now to Fig 3, it will be seen that in the car C is a manual electric switch 33 for controlling the solenoids 34, 34: whose the main motor is cut out.

cores orplungers 35, 35' are connected to operate the reversing switches R, R of the main motor M and the reversing switches tact 41, lever 40, conductor 45, to the main. The solenoid 34 will then lift the plunger 35 and close both switches R and a" at substantially the same time, or, if desired, the switch 1* may be closed a short space of time before the switch R is closed. This may be accomplished by having the contacts spring-pressed. Both motors then receive current and both will tend to start substantially at the same time, or the small motor 24 before the larger motor.

The circuit for the large motor is from the main through conductor 46, contacts 47, 48, conductors 49, 50, brush 51, armature M, brush 52, conductor 53, contacts 54, 55, conductors 56, 57, sectional starting resistance 38, conductor 58 to the main. A circuit is also completed from the junction 59 through conductor 60, shunt field winding 36, and conductor 61 to the main. The brake magnet 62 is connected across the mains through the conductors 63 and 64. The circuit for the armature of the small motor is from the main through contacts 65, 66, conductors 67, 68, armature 24, conductor 69, contacts 70, 71, conductor 72, starting resistance 39, conductor 73 to the main. The field circuit for the auxiliary motor is from the junction 74, through conductor 75, field winding 37, and conductor 76 to the imain. I prefer not to provide the auxiliary motor with an electromagnetic brake such as that designated for the larger or main motor, although this may be done.

It should be particularly noted that the starting resistance for the elevator driving motor comprises more sections than that of the smaller motor, and the accelerating switches are so arranged that full potential is applied from the mains to the auxiliary motor before all the starting resistance of This insures the small high speed motor obtaining full speed and the moving of the worm 13 to nonbraking position before the main motor tends to drive the worm through the worm wheel. I

The accelerating magnets are shown connected in series with each other in a circuit across the main motor armature. Thisv circuit extends from the brush 52 through conductor 53, contacts 54, 55, conductors 56, 57, conductor 78, conductors 79, 63, junction 59, contacts 80', 47, 48, and conductors 49, 50 to the brush 51. The accelerating magnets may be arranged to be operated successively as the potential across the armature M in- ;creases 1n any desired manner. In this 111- sta-nce I have designed magnets of decreas- 1ng strength by varying the number of ampere turns. therefore be operated successively from left to right, as viewed ll'l Flg. 3.

If the switch lever 401s moved onto contact 87, instead of contact 41, the solenoid 34 will receive current and the switches R and 7- will be closed .to effect a reversal of rotation of both the motors M .and 24. Again the auxiliary motor will be operated ahead of the main motor so as tomove the worm 13 out of the way of the worm wheel 10 so as'not to resist movement thereof, but, on the contrary, tend to assist rotation of the same.

One of the essential features of my invention is a small, comparatively high speed motor connected to the retarding mechanism so as to have relative rotation thereto. In this instance this is accomplished by a frictional cone clutch, but it should be understood that other connections permitting relative movement may be used if desired. It is intended that during the nonmal operation of the car the ratio of the speed of the auxiliary motor to the speed of rotation of the worm will always be greaterthan the ratio of the speed of the main motor Mto the driving sheave 8 when the latter is direct connected. In other words, while the main motor always runs in harmony with the parts which it drives, the small motor does not. The latter is therefore always out of synchronism with the main motor, for the reason that it operates at a higher ratio of speed.

If desired, cup'bearings 81, 81 may be placed between the springs 18, 18 and the cups of the friction clutches so as to protect the springs, the latter being preferably held stationary by the fixed brackets 82, 82 fitting into grooves. Adjusting devices in the cup bearings may also he added to vary the The accelerating switches will tension of the springs so that different degrees of frictional engagement between the cups and the cones may be obtained when desired. The springs, however, should always urge the cups into engagement with the cones, so that whether the car is stopped in one direction or the other the opposite cup from that into which the cone is being wedged will follow its cone and assist in relieving sudden strain coming on the braking mechanism, and thus effecting a gradually increasing resultant of retardation: to the movement of the car. This resultant depending upon the inclination of the worm threads, may be such as to limit or regulate the speed of" the caror actually bring the same to "a full stop gradually.

. Obviously various-changes in the details and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I desire therefore not to be limited to the precise constructiondis closed.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim and wish to have protected by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In an elevator, the combination with moving member, of two motors, means for mitting said member and said last-named.

motor to run at a variable relative speed;

2. In an elevator, the combination of a rotatable member, a main motor for driving the same, an auxiliary motor also exerting a driving action on said member and having a connection therewith through which power from the main motor may be transmitted to the auxiliary motor, and a frictional con nection between the latter and said rotatable member permitting a variation in the 'relative speed of said member and the auxiliary motor.

3. In an elevator, the combination with a rotatable member, of a motor therefor, a

retarding device for said member geared to and operable by said motor, a second motor,

and a connection between the latter motor and said retarding device for permitting a variation in the relative speeds of the retarding device and said second motor.

4. In an elevator, the combination with a shaft, of a worm wheel mounted thereon, a worm in non-locking engagement with said worm wheel, a motor connected to said shaft and operable to drive the worm, a separate motor, and a friction clutch between said separate motor and said worm.

5. In an elevator, the combination with a driving member, of a motor for operating the same, retarding mechanism for said driving member and operable by said motor, an auxiliary motor, and a frictional connection between. the latter and said retarding mechanism.

6. Inanelevator, the combination with a driving member, of a motor for operating the same, a worm and worm wheel connected to be driven by said motor, an auxiliary motor, and a frictional clutch between said; auxiliary motor and said worm.

7. The combination with two electric m0- tors, of means for accelerating both'motors to normal speed, one motor faster than the other, a rotatable member connected to one motor, and retarding mechanism connected between the said member and the other motor.

8. The combination with a rotatable member, of a worm wheel connected thereto, a worm in mesh with the worm wheel, two clutches, one at each end of said worm, and means for transmitting motion to said worm through either or both of said clutches.

9. In an elevator, the combination with a worm. and worm wheel, of apparatus for driving the worm wheel and worm, a friction clutch, and means for transmitting motion through said clutch to said worm to hold the latter in a predetermined position with respect to said worm wheel.

10. The combination with a rotating member, of a worm wheel connected thereto, a worm in mesh with said worm wheel, a frictional clutch movable longitudinally with said Worm, and a step bearing to limit the movement of one member of said clutch.

11. The combination with a worm and worm wheel, of two clutches, one member of each of said clutches being connected rigidly to the worm to rotate therewith, a shaft extending loosely through said worm, and said clutch members, springs respectively urging the other clutch members into frictional engagement with said first-named members, connect-ions between said secondnamed members and said shaft to permit relative longitudinal movement, and step bearings to limit such movement.

12. The combination with a driving device, of retarding apparatus, for the same, and a motor geared to the retarding apparatus and operating at a higher ratio of speed than that required to synchronize with the retarding apparatus and thereby maintaining said retarding apparatus normally out of retarding action.

13. In an elevator, the combination with a motor, of power-transmitting apparatus, controlling means positively connected to said power-transmitting apparatus and operable thereby and synchronizing with all normal action thereof and resisting abnormal action .and an auxiliary motor connected with said controlling means, and operable at speeds variable relatively to the speeds of the said controlling means.

14. In an elevator, the combination of moving apparatus, means for controlling said moving apparatus to effect .a regulation of speed, and a motor having a frictional driving connection with said controlling means and operating at a higher ratio of speed than that required to synchronize with the said moving'apparatus.

15. In an elevator, the combination with a moving member, of a motor for operating the same, controlling apparatus operable by the motor and running freely with said member within predetermined limits of speed thereof but ofiering resistance beyond such limits of speed, and an auxiliary motor connected to said controlling apparatus to hold the same out of action within the' said limits and operable at a variable speed relative to that of the controlling apparatus.

16. The combination with a moving member and two motors, of driving connections between one of said motors and the said member, and a non-locking retarding device controlled by the other motor.

17. The combination of a moving member, two motors, driving connections between one of said motors and the said member, and power transmitting means connected between the other motor and said driving connections to exert a retarding influence on the said driving connections under predetermined conditions, each of said motors being operable through said connections to drive the other motor.

18. The combination with a driving member of a motor, an additional motor, and a worm and worm wheel connecting said additional motor to said driving member, the worm being capable of being driven by the worm wheel.

19. The combination with a driving member of a motor, an auxiliary motor, and a worm and worm wheel connection between the auxiliary motor and said member, said worm wheel being capable of driving said worm.

20. The combination with a movable member, of two motors, power-transmitting means connected directly between one of said motors and said movable member, and additional power-transmitting means between the two motors, both of said means being capable of being driven by gravity.

21. The combination with a rotatable member, of two motors, power-transmitting means connecting one of said motors with said rotatable member, and a driving connection between the other motor and said rotatable member capable of transmitting motion either from said last named motor to the rotatable member or from the rotatable member to the motor.

22. The combination with a motor, of a member connected to the motor to rotate directly therewith, an auxiliary motor, and a worm and worm wheel connected between the auxiliary motor and said rotatable member and capable of being driven by said rotatable member.

23. The combination with a driving member and a motive device therefor, of a worm wheel connected to rotate in harmony with said member, a worm in mesh with said worm wheel and capable of being driven thereby, and a separate motive device for said worm.

24. The combination with a driving member, of an electric motor connected directly to said member, a toothed gear connected to rotate in harmony with said motor and sheave, a worm meshing with said gear and capable of being driven thereby, and an auxiliary motor for rotating said worm.

25. The combination with a rotatable member, of driving and controlling apparatus connected to said rotatable member, each capable of operation in either direction and each capable of being driven in either direction, by power applied to the rotatable member independently of said apparatus, and means for supplying energy to such driving and controlling apparatuses.

26. The combination with a rotatable member, of means for supplying energy to said member to drive the same in either direction, said member being capable of being driven also in either direction, by power supplied thereto independently of said means, mechanism for continuously controlling the rotation of said rotatable member without ever locking the same against movement, and an independent device for operating said controlling mechanism.

27. The combination with a rotatable member, of a low speed driving motor connected to said member, non-locking retarding means for said member, and a high speed motor for controlling said retarding means.

28. The combination with a rotatable member, and a motor for driving said member, of continuously operated means constantly in readiness to retard said member gradually, and a separate motor having a yieldable connection with said retarding means.

29. The combination with a movable member, of a motor for operating the same, frictional mechanism for positively regulating the operation of said member, and a second motor rotating non-synchronously with respect to the first-named motor and controlling said frictional mechanism.

30. The combination with a movable member, of a motor for driving the same, mech-' driving connections comprising a clutch between said member and said motor permit ting a variation in the relative speeds of the motors and permitting power to be transmitted from said first to the second motor.

33. In an elevator, the combination With a rotatable member, of a motor for operating the same, a device for controlling the speed of said motor and operable by the motor a second motor, and a clutch conneotion between said second motor and said device for operating the latter and permitting a substantial variation in the relative speeds of the motors. V

In testimony whereof, I have signed my 15 name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

EDWIN S. MATTHEWS.

Witnesses:

CHAS. M. NIssEN, W. BRADY.

Copies of this atent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

